Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Announces Truck Tire Manufacturing Appointments
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 9, 2012) – Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (Bridgestone Americas) today announced the appointment of Mitch Burke to the position of Plant Manager at the company’s Warren County, Tenn. truck and bus tire manufacturing facility.
Burke began his career with Bridgestone Americas in 1989 as Junior Engineer at the Warren County Plant. Since that time he has taken on engineering and management roles of increasing responsibility, including positions as Quality Coordinator, Section Manager, Operations Manager, Area Business Manager, Division Manager of Truck Bus Radial Technical Services, and most recently Division Manager, Operations.
“It is rare to find someone with the blend of production and technical expertise that Mitch has. His leadership will be a great addition to the Warren County team as they continue to set the global standard for manufacturing excellence,” said Barry Owens, Vice President, Bridgestone Americas Manufacturing Group.
The role of plant manager at the Warren County facility was formerly held by Bruce Johnson, who also held the concurrent position of plant manager at the company’s truck and bus tire manufacturing facility in LaVergne, Tenn. Johnson will continue as the plant manager for the LaVergne, Tenn. plant.
“Bruce has done a tremendous job leading both the Warren County and LaVergne plants to significant improvements in all key manufacturing metrics,” said Owens. “I would like to thank Bruce for his dedication and commitment over the past two years as he has served in a very demanding dual role.”
About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations; the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses; the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses; and Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC, which operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires, as well as retreads, to its customers in the Americas.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.